Yet another rich fucker nominated for the Cabinet owed income taxes. Over $100k in back taxes
Nope, I don’t blame Obama or the democrats. I blame yet anther rich, Washington power player who thinks the rules really don’t apply to him. Or at the very least, that he can play fast and loose with the rules whenever he wants to.
The taxes are for limousine and chauffeur services, unreported consulting income and unwarranted charitable deductions. The taxes were from 2005 to 2007.
Spare me the excuse that the tax code is really hard and complex, or that the accountant is supposed to know about that, not poor old Tom. The guy was a Congressman, and was the Senate majority leader for Christ sake. If he’s not smart enough to pay his taxes, we’re all screwed. He and his handlers were smart enough to pick this up when in suited him - trying for this appointment.
It’s just so increasingly fucking apparent that these guys don’t give a crap about doing what’s right, or taking care of the nation’s business. I wish that Obama would say that this type of behavior and explanation is unacceptable, and that he’s pulling Tom’s name. That would be change I could believe in. But it won’t happen.
I doubt you could find five people in Congress who are 100% honest about their taxes. That’s not an excuse,it’s a lament. I’ve always though Daschle was kind of a douche and for some reason this bothers me more than Geithner (maybe because Geithner’s explanation is more reasonable), but if we start imposing a tax purity test for these jobs, we’ll never get a Cabinet seated. Even the ones who aren’t cheating are just better at finding ways to hide money and work the loopholes.
You may be right. And God knows I personally don’t want a parking ticket keeping a stud out of an office he’s perfect for. But it seems like a rash playing fast and loose with the rules with a minor mea culpa and off you go. But the problem with that is that Washington players are counting on us (i.e. the people) to either not pay attention, or to not give a flying fuck when we do. Seems like the quintessential slippery slope that we are on here.
This creep (Daschle) was complaining that his poor old mother could not afford her prescription drugs. May if he PAID his taxes, his poor old mother would be able to get her drugs!
Hypocrite and slimeball!
These guys are suggesting they are the tip of the iceberg. How many rich people avoid taxes? They fired a bunch of IRS employees for small transgressions of the tax code because of appearances. They should go through every representative and senators taxes and impeach every on e that is avoiding taxes. Tax money pays their salaries.
Oh? So if we can assure you of our unflinching commitment to ensuring that all of our privileged Congresscritters are carefully audited and pay every dime they owe…
Then we can have all of our social programs, and stuff?
Cool! Its a deal! Hell, had no idea it would be so easy!
I could maybe see not knowing about the chaffeur and the charitable donations, but not knowing that you have to report consulting income? Either that’s purposely deceitful or rank incompetence, and either way, he’s not someone who should be trusted to manage a large organization.
For that matter, let me ask you something. elucidator. Do YOU think it’s OK for members of congress to create programs that you and I will have to pay for, if he’s not willing to do the same?
It’s not a bad scam. As long as you file your annual income tax, you won’t be charged with tax fraud. You take the money you know you still owe and plunk it into something moderately risky to reap decent returns. Then when you’re caught, you pay the tab and the interest and hopefully pocket some profit. No jail, no bad credit, no publicity. Until you’re appointed to a cabinet post, when you have to come clean. As long as you eventually pay, no charges will be brought.
If I may speak for Lucy, I believe he was saying that he’s willing to stand over their shoulders and make them pay if that will ensure that the programs get created.
You’re right that it’s hypocritical for Daschle to want nationalized health care services if he isn’t willing to pay his own taxes, but that just means he’s personally a hypocrite, it doesn’t mean he’s wrong to support UHC legislatively.
It’s got nothing to do with having a goddamn (D) beside his name. Don’t be an ass. It’s because he’s a US Senator and because he’s rich. The party is irrelevant. The IRS is not partisan. Don’t be such a freeper. You really think the Dick Cheneys of the world get treated any worse?
ETA it’s also highly unlikely that even Mr. Smith of the Bumfuck Smiths would go to jail as long as he paid what he owed like Daschle did.
I knew that’s what he meant. My point was that someone ought to be sure they pay their taxes either way.
And I didn’t say he was wrong to support UHC. It’s the hypocrite angle that makes me pissed off, not the fact that he supports UHC. I may not agree with the concept, but I’m willing to pay for it if everyone else thinks it’s what we ought to do. It’s fucking bullshit to essentially say it’s what everyone else ought to do.
Yep. In the sense that I’d rather have a hypocrite vote for something good. For instance, I am an admirer of Barry Goldwater (in fact, worked for him in '64, when I was but a lad studying for the scaffold…). I take him at his word, that his vote against the Civil Rights Act was a principled decision based on his firm convictions about state’s rights. And I still think it was wrong. No hypocrisy, very very wrong.
I also know that Lyndon Johnson was a racist, in the “good ol’ boy” sense of so deeply imbued, it goes right to the bone. He did not genuinely believe that colored people were equal to himself, it was a principle he could recognize, but not truly embody.
Yet he worked very hard for a just cause. All sins are not equal, when it comes to hypocrisy.
As far as the specific issue ("…taxpayers ought to pay for stuff like that…"), I’m very much favor of programs to help the elderly purchase drugs, it is an idea I approve of more as I gain the wisdom of age.
No doubt, given the chemical Puritanism of our culture, we’ll have to be satisfied with programs for strictly medicinal drugs. For now.
“Keep Granny in a mellow buzz - vote Democrat!” Well, maybe.